Buckyballs High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard

Hazard: Magnet Ingestion

Remedy:

Recall Date: 2010-05-27
Recall: 247 – 10251Units:
Incidents/Injuries:

Product Name:
Description: Buckyballs High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2010 Release #10-251 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 847-8716 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Buckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Buckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets Units: About 175,000 Importer: Maxfield and Oberton LLC, of New York, N.Y. Hazard: The high powered magnets sets were labeled “Ages 13+” and do not meet the mandatory toy standard F963-08 (effective August 17, 2009) which requires that such powerful magnets are not sold for children under 14. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal. Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of children swallowing one or more magnets. No injuries were reported. Description: This recall involves the Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets labeled “Ages 13+”. The set contains 216 powerful rare earth magnets. It is intended to build unlimited shapes and patterns. Since March 2010, Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets were labeled “Keep Away From All Children” and are not being recalled. Sold at: The recalled magnets were sold at a variety of stores, including stores selling children’s toys, stationery and office supplies and various online sites from March 2009 through March 2010. Manufactured in: China Remedy: Consumers should take the Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets labeled “Ages 13+” away from children under 14 immediately and contact Maxfield and Oberton for instructions on receiving a refund upon return of a complete set of magnets. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maxfield and Oberton at (888) 847-8716 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.maxfieldandobertonsafety.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals –contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury,go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at(301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired.Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.